Intermediate charging handle  engagement with carrier of firearm

ABSTRACT

Firearms with improved systems and methods of pulling back a carrier within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face located between a rearward first end and a forward second end of the charging handle and the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end. In some embodiments, the charging handle has a stem having a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall. In various embodiments, walls are perpendicular or parallel or are one piece, the bottom is open, the carrier has a protrusion contacting the charging handle, the engagement face is concave, the firearm is a rifle that selectably fires in fully-automatic and semi-automatic modes, or a combination thereof.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to US Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATECHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, which has at leastone inventor in common with the current patent application and the sameassignee. Although primarily concerning other inventions, this patentapplication also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled, INTERNAL LATCH INCHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM and to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titled CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENTWITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM which also each have at least one inventorin common with the current patent application and the same assignee. Thecontents of these priority provisional patent applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms having charginghandles and systems and methods of engaging carriers with charginghandles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms have been used for several centuries for various purposesincluding as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self defense,hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons and weaponsystems have been developed, firearms are still widely used and soldiersare trained in firearm use and carry firearms in essentially all armiesthroughout the world. Over time, firearms have been improved in manyways, but opportunities for improvement still exist in particular areasand for particular aspects of these devices.

Firearms have been built that use energy from the firing of one round toload the next round into the chamber for firing. In variousconfigurations, the first round to be fired must be loaded manually andthe firearm must be cocked (e.g., the bolt or carrier pulled back) tofire the first round. For this purpose, firearms have been equipped withcharging handles that are operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operatorin order to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing thefirst round. Charging handles have used that engaged the bolt or carrierwith a lateral projection or tang at the forward end or tip of thecharging handle. The tang or tip of the charging handle has been know towear, deform, or even break from repeated use, particularly from roughuse or where other issues exist with the mechanism. A need or potentialfor benefit or improvement exists for firearms wherein the charginghandle engages the carrier in a more robust manner that is less prone towear, damage, or failure. Room for improvement exists over the prior artin these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of ordinaryskill in the art having studied this document.

SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides, among other things, firearms with improvedsystems and methods of engagement between the charging handles and thecarrier. Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object orbenefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more ofthe needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for improvementdescribed herein, or known in the art, as examples. Some embodimentsprovide firearms with charging handles that engage the carrier at anengagement face on the charging handle located between a rearward firstend and a forward second end of the charging handle. In a number ofembodiments, the engagement face is at least ten percent of the lengthof the charging handle from the second end, for example. In addition, orinstead, in some embodiments, the charging handle has a stem having atop wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and the engagement face extendsfrom the left wall to the right wall. Other embodiments, besidesfirearms, include methods of obtaining or providing an apparatus forpulling back the carrier of a firearm with a charging handle andspecific charging handles with features described herein.

In a number of embodiments, improvements to firearms herein provide forfirearms that are more reliable, that last longer, that are moreadaptable, that can be used in conditions that are more extreme, thathandle abuse well, that work better, that are easier to use, that areeasier to maintain, that are less expensive to manufacture, that have alower lifecycle cost, or a combination thereof.

Specific embodiments include firearms that each include a carrier and acharging handle. In various embodiments, the charging handle has arearward first end, a forward second end, and a length from the firstend to the second end. Further, in a number of embodiments, the charginghandle engages the carrier at an engagement face on the charging handlelocated between the first end and the second end. Moreover, in variousembodiments, the engagement face is at least ten percent of the lengthof the charging handle from the second end of the charging handle.

Further, in some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem thatinclude a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, or a combination thereof.Further still, in some such embodiments, the engagement face extendsfrom the left wall to the right wall. Even further, in some embodiments,the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the right wall isperpendicular to the top wall, the left wall is parallel to the rightwall, or a combination thereof. Still further, in certain embodiments,the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall areall one piece. Even further still, in a number of embodiments, the stemhas an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall. Moreover,in particular embodiments, the engagement face is perpendicular to thetop wall.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the carrier includes a protrusion andthe engagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handlepulls back the carrier. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the engagementface is at least 20 percent of the length of the charging handle fromthe second end of the charging handle, the engagement face is at least60 percent of the length of the charging handle from the first end ofthe charging handle, or both. Moreover, in some embodiments, theengagement face is concave. Further, in particular embodiments, thefirearm is a rifle, for instance, configured to selectably fire in afully-automatic mode, in a semi-automatic mode, or both.

Other specific embodiments include various firearms that include acarrier and a charging handle wherein the charging handle includes astem, for example, that include a top wall, a left wall, a right wall,and an engagement face extending from the left wall to the right wall.In a number of embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier atthe engagement face. Further, in some such embodiments, the left wall,the top wall, and the right wall are all one piece, the left wall isperpendicular to the top wall, the right wall is perpendicular to thetop wall, the left wall is parallel to the right wall, the engagementface, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are all one piece,or a combination thereof. Further still, in a number of embodiments, thestem has an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall, theengagement face is perpendicular to the top wall, the carrier includes aprotrusion and the engagement face contacts the protrusion when thecharging handle pulls back the carrier, the engagement face is concave,or both.

Still other specific embodiments include various charging handles forfirearms, wherein the charging handle includes a rearward first end, aforward second end, a length from the first end to the second end, andan engagement face for engaging a carrier. In a number of embodiments,the engagement face is located between the first end and the second end,the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length from thesecond end of the charging handle, the charging handle includes a stemthat include a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and the engagementface, or a combination thereof. In addition, various other embodimentsof the invention are also described herein, and other benefits ofcertain embodiments may be apparent to a person of skill in this area oftechnology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings provided herewith illustrate, among other things, examplesof certain aspects of particular embodiments. Various embodiments mayinclude aspects shown in the drawings, described in the specification(including the claims), known in the art, or a combination thereof, asexamples. Other embodiments, however, may differ.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a firearm that includesa charging handle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIGS. 1and 2, taken along section A-A in FIG. 2, illustrating, among otherthings, the charging handle and carrier;

FIG. 4 is a right side detail view of part of the firearm of FIG. 3illustrating the charging handle engagement with the carrier;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the charging handle of the firearm ofFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6; is a bottom view of the charging handle of FIG. 5 of the firearmof FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional right side view of the charging handle ofFIGS. 6 and 7 of the firearm of FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the charging handle of FIGS. 5 to 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

This patent application describes, among other things, examples ofcertain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other embodiments maydiffer from the particular examples described in detail herein. Variousembodiments are or concern firearms, for example, having improvementsover the prior art. Different embodiments include firearms, charginghandles for firearms, and methods concerning charging handles orfirearms, as examples.

As used herein, a charging handle is a component or assembly of afirearm that is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of thefirearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing thefirst round. As used herein, a “charging handle” includes a body of thecharging handle and can also include parts within or pivotably attachedto the body of the charging handle. But as used herein, a “charginghandle” does not include other components of the firearm, such as thecarrier or bolt assembly, that, unlike the body of the charging handle,move relative to the barrel or receiver of the firearm, for example,when the firearm is fired. In addition, the “charging handle” of thefirearm, as used herein, does not include other parts of the firearmthat do not move (e.g., rearward) with the body of the charging handlewhen the charging handle is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operatorof the firearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firingthe first round. In a number of embodiments, for example, a firearm(e.g., 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3)) includes a charging handle (e.g., 50shown best in FIGS. 5-8), and the charging handle (e.g., 50) is separatefrom the carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), from the barrel(e.g., 13 shown in FIGS. 1-3), and from the receiver (e.g., 11 shown inFIGS. 1-4).

As used herein, the “carrier” of a firearm is the bolt carrier group,which includes the bolt for the firearm and the firing pin. As usedherein, the “carrier” of a firearm moves backwards and forwards as theweapon fires and performs certain cyclic functions of the weapon (e.g.,a gas-operated firearm), for example, stripping a round from themagazine, inserting the round into the chamber, firing the round,pulling the cartridge from the chamber once the round is fired, andejecting the cartridge. In a number of embodiments, when the weapon isfired, the hammer strikes the firing pin. Further, in variousembodiments, the bolt locks into place in the barrel extension (e.g., byrotating) before the round is fired and unlocks therefrom after theround is fired.

When the charging handle of the firearm is pulled back, in variousembodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier of the firearm withan intermediate feature on the charging handle such as a gusset, flange,cross member, or lateral feature, for instance, on or through the bottomof the charging handle. In different embodiments, the feature (e.g.,intermediate feature) can be a hole, projection or wall, as examples. Ina number of embodiments, the charging handle has a greater verticaldimension at the feature than at other locations along the charginghandle, for example. In some embodiments, the vertical dimension of thecharging handle may vary (e.g., gradually) along its length and may beat a maximum or a relative maximum at or near the feature (e.g.,engagement surface or face).

In a number of embodiments, for example, a firearm (e.g., 10 in FIGS.1-3)) includes a charging handle (e.g., 50 shown in FIGS. 1-8) having anaft or rearward first end (e.g., 51), a forward second end (e.g., 52),and a length (e.g., 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the first end (e.g., 51) tothe second end (e.g., 52). A number of firearm embodiments include acarrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and the charging handle (e.g.,50) engages the carrier (e.g., 40) at an engagement face (e.g., 45 shownin FIGS. 3-7) on the charging handle (e.g., 50) located between thefirst end (e.g., 51) and the second end (e.g., 52). In variousembodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least ten percent ofthe length (e.g., 73) from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charginghandle. Further, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g.,50) includes a stem (e.g., 56 shown in FIGS. 3-8), for instance, havinga top wall (e.g., 77 shown in FIGS. 5-7), a right wall (e.g., 68 shownin FIGS. 5, 6, and 8)), and a left wall (e.g., 69 shown in FIGS. 6-8).In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown, for example, theengagement face (e.g., 45) extends from the left wall (e.g., 69) to theright wall (e.g., 68).

As used herein, “top”, and any other indicators of direction herein,apply to the normal orientation of the firearm (e.g., 10) when thebarrel (e.g., 13) is horizontal and the trigger is below the centerlinethrough the barrel that is parallel to the direction of travel of abullet in the barrel when the firearm is fired. In FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7,and 8, up is toward the top of the view. Moreover, as used herein, a“wall” includes two opposite surfaces (e.g., an inside surface facingthe interior of the stem and an exterior surface facing the exterior ofthe stem) and has a thickness between the walls. In a number ofembodiments, the opposite surfaces are planer surfaces, are parallel, orboth. In some embodiments, the opposite surfaces are flat, but in otherembodiments, one or both of the opposite surfaces is curved (e.g., inone plane or in two planes). Further, in a number of embodiments, a“wall” is solid between the opposite surfaces. Further still, in someembodiments, a wall has a uniform thickness, while in other embodiments,the thickness of a wall can vary, for example, along the wall. In someembodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) is attached to the top wall (e.g.,77), the right wall (e.g., 68) is attached to the top wall, or both.Further, in certain embodiments, the left wall, the top wall, and theright wall are all one piece (i.e., of solid or monolithic material). Asused herein, two or more walls that are all one piece are considered tobe “attached”.

In a number of embodiments, the stem (e.g., 56), for example, the “onepiece” can be metal, such as aluminum, for example, or plastic, asanother example. In a number of embodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) issubstantially perpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77), the right wall(e.g., 68) is substantially perpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77), orboth. As used herein, “substantially perpendicular” means perpendicularto within 15 degrees. Further, in particular embodiments, the left wallis perpendicular to the top wall, the right wall is perpendicular to thetop wall, or both. As used herein, in this context, “perpendicular”means perpendicular to within 5 degrees. Still further, in someembodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) is substantially parallel to theright wall (e.g., 68). As used herein, “substantially parallel” meansparallel to within 15 degrees. Even further, in certain embodiments, theleft wall is parallel to the right wall. As used herein, in thiscontext, “parallel” means parallel to within 5 degrees. In variousembodiments, perpendicularity, parallelism, or both, can be determinedbased on the outside surfaces of the walls, the inside surfaces of thewalls, or both.

Further, in some embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is attachedto the left wall (e.g., 69), to the right wall (e.g., 68), or both. Asused herein, a particular surface is considered to be attached to aspecific wall if the particular surface is a surface of a component orregion that is attached to that specific wall. In a number ofembodiments, for example, (e.g., including the embodiment illustrated),the engagement face (e.g., 45) is a surface (e.g., an aft- orrearward-facing surface) of a wall (i.e., an engagement wall) that isattached to the left wall (e.g., 69), to the right wall (e.g., 68), orboth (e.g., as shown). Even further, in some embodiments (e.g., asillustrated), the engagement face (e.g., 45), the left wall (e.g., 69),and the right wall (e.g., 68) are all one piece. Even further still, insome embodiments (e.g., as illustrated), the engagement face, the leftwall, the right wall, and the top of the stem (e.g., top wall 77) areall one piece.

Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the stem (e.g., 56) has an openbottom, for example, between the left wall (e.g., 69) and the right wall(e.g., 68), for example, over at least a majority of the length of thestem. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown), for example, the stem, orpart of the stem, can be a channel or have a “U”-shaped cross section,for instance (e.g., an upside down “U” in the embodiment illustrated).As used herein, a stem (e.g., 56) is considered to have an “open bottom”between the left wall (e.g., 69) and the right wall (e.g., 68) if thestem is hollow over a majority of the length of the stem, the hollowinterior of the stem is bounded by at least two walls (e.g., at leasttwo of the left wall, the right wall and the top wall), and the bottomof the stem, over a majority of the area of the bottom of the stem, isdefined by ends of walls (e.g., the bottom end of the left wall and thebottom end of the right wall), wherein the ends of the walls are limitedto the thickness of these walls. As used herein, stem 56, as shown, hasan open bottom (e.g., 66 shown in FIG. 6).

In a number of embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., of the charginghandle or stem thereof) is substantially perpendicular or perpendicularto the left wall (e.g., of the stem), to the right wall, or both.Further, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7),the engagement face (e.g., 45) is substantially perpendicular orperpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77). Even further, in a number ofembodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6), the engagement face (e.g., 45)is concave. In particular embodiments, for example, the engagement face(e.g., 45) is concave toward the first end of the charging handle (e.g.,when viewed from below, as shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, theengagement face is concave when viewed from the side, but in otherembodiments, including the embodiment shown, the engagement face (e.g.,45) is not concave when viewed from the side (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5and 7).

In other embodiments, the engagement face can be flat or can be flatwith fillets or chamfers at the interior corners, for instance, at theright and left wall, at the top wall, or both, as further examples.Still further, in other embodiments, the engagement face is on a pin orfastener that extends, for instance, from the left wall to the rightwall, or the engagement face is on a block that extends, for instance,from the left wall to the right wall, for example, supported or attachedby at least one pin or fastener that extends, for instance, from theleft wall to the right wall, as further examples. Even further, invarious embodiments, the engagement face is on a gusset, flange, crossmember, or lateral feature, for instance, on or through the bottom ofthe charging handle, or between side walls of the charging handle. Evenfurther still, in various embodiments, the engagement face is on afeature on the charging handle (e.g., an intermediate feature betweenends of the charging handle, as shown) such as a hole, projection, orwall (e.g., as shown), as examples.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, for example, in a number ofembodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) has a greater verticaldimension at the engagement face (e.g., 45) than at other locationsalong the charging handle (e.g., along length 73), for example.Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated, the vertical dimension ofcharging handle 50 varies gradually along part of length 73 of charginghandle 50 and is at a maximum or a relative maximum at and nearengagement face 45. Other embodiments, however, may differ.

In various embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least 20percent of the length (e.g., of the carrier or of the stem, forinstance, length 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the second end (e.g., forwardend, for instance, 52 shown in FIGS. 5-8)) of the charging handle (e.g.,50), the engagement face is at least 20 percent of the length (e.g., 73)from the first end (e.g., 51 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7) of the charginghandle (e.g., 50), or both. Further, in some embodiments, the engagementface is at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, or 80 percent of the lengthfrom the first end of the charging handle, as other examples. Furtherstill, in various embodiments, the engagement face is at least 15, 25,30, 35, or 40 percent of the length from the second end of the charginghandle. The embodiment illustrated is an example. Furthermore, inparticular embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, theengagement face (e.g., 45) is at least 20 percent of the length (e.g.,73) of the charging handle (e.g., 50) from the second end (e.g., 52) ofthe charging handle, and the engagement face is at least 60 percent ofthe length of the charging handle from the first end (e.g., 51) of thecharging handle.

Additionally, in a number of embodiments, the carrier (e.g., 40 shown inFIGS. 3 and 4) has a feature, such as a protrusion (e.g., 44), and theengagement face (e.g., 45) contacts the feature or protrusion (e.g., 44)when the charging handle (e.g., 50) pulls back the carrier (e.g., 40).In a number of embodiments, the feature or protrusion is part of thecarrier (e.g., as shown). Moreover, in a number of embodiments, theprotrusion is on a top surface of the carrier (e.g., as shown). Further,in various embodiments, the feature, carrier, or both, are metal, suchas steel. In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, theprotrusion (e.g., 44) includes a chamfer, for instance, on a exteriorcorner, for example, at an aft or rearward end of the protrusion. Invarious embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, theprotrusion (e.g., 44) includes a square corner, for instance, an uppercorner, for example, at a forward end of the protrusion. Further, in anumber of embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, theprotrusion (e.g., 44) includes a carrier engagement face, for instance,substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of travelof the carrier (e.g., 40), to the charging handle (e.g., 50, forinstance, to length 73 shown in FIG. 7), or to the barrel (e.g., 13) ofthe firearm (e.g., 10, for example, at the forward end of theprotrusion. In some embodiments, for example, when the firearm isassembled, the carrier engagement face, for instance, of the protrusion,is parallel to the engagement face (e.g., 45) on the charging handle(e.g., 50).

In a number of embodiments, the firearm (e.g., 10) is a rifle. Inparticular embodiments, for example, the firearm (e.g., 10) is anassault rifle, such as an AR-15 or an M-16. In different embodiments,the firearm can be a semi-automatic firearm or a fully automaticfirearm, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the firearm isa rifle configured to selectably (e.g., via operation of a selectorlever) fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.Other embodiments, however, may differ. For instance, in particularembodiments the firearm can be a pistol.

Still further, other embodiments include various charging handles (e.g.,50 shown in FIGS. 1-8) for firearms (e.g., 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3),wherein the charging handle includes a rearward first end (e.g., 51shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7), a forward second end (e.g., 52 shown inFIGS. 5-8), a length (e.g., 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the first end(e.g., 51) to the second end (e.g., 52), and an engagement face (e.g.,45 shown in FIGS. 4-7) for engaging a carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS.3-4). In a number of embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) islocated between the first end (e.g., 51) and the second end (e.g., 52),the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length (e.g., 73)from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle (e.g., 50), thecharging handle includes a stem (e.g., 56) that include a top wall(e.g., 77), a left wall (e.g., 69), a right wall (e.g., 68), and theengagement face (e.g., 45), or a combination thereof. The embodimentillustrated (e.g., charging handle 50) includes all such features, butother embodiments may include some of these features but not others, mayinclude other features described herein, or both, as further examples.

Examples of methods include various methods of obtaining or providing anapparatus for pulling back the carrier (e.g., 40) of a firearm (e.g.,10), for instance, with a charging handle (e.g., 50). In variousembodiments, such a method can include, for example, in any order, atleast certain acts. Such acts can include, for instance, obtaining orproviding a charging handle (e.g., 50) having a rearward first end(e.g., 51), a forward second end (e.g., 52), a length (e.g., 73) fromthe first end to the second end, or a combination thereof. Further, someembodiments include obtaining or providing a carrier (e.g., 40). In anumber of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) engages thecarrier (e.g., 40) at an engagement face (e.g., 45) on the charginghandle located between the first end (e.g., 51) and the second end(e.g., 52). Further, in particular embodiments, the engagement face(e.g., 45) is at least ten percent of the length (e.g., 73) from thesecond end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle (e.g., 50). Someembodiments include (e.g., in addition to obtaining or providing acarrier) an act of obtaining or providing a charging handle (e.g., 50),for instance, having a stem (e.g., 56) comprising a top wall (e.g., 77),a left wall (e.g., 69), a right wall (e.g., 68), or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) furtherincludes an engagement face (e.g., 45) extending from the left wall(e.g., 69) to the right wall (e.g., 68). In a number of embodiments, forexample, the charging handle (e.g., 50) engages the carrier (e.g., 40)at the engagement face (e.g., 45). In various embodiments, particularmethods can include acts of obtaining or providing, as examples, otherfeatures, components, or aspects described herein. All possiblecombinations are contemplated.

Further, methods described herein contain various acts. The order inwhich these acts are described herein is an example of the order inwhich these acts can be performed, but in other embodiments, unlessstated otherwise herein, the acts may be performed in a different order.In some embodiments, acts may overlap or be performed at the same time,as another example.

Further, various embodiments of the subject matter described hereininclude various combinations of the acts, structure, components, andfeatures described herein, shown in the drawings, described in documentsthat are incorporated by reference herein, or that are known in the art.Moreover, certain procedures can include acts such as manufacturing,obtaining, or providing components that perform functions describedherein or in the documents that are incorporated by reference. Thesubject matter described herein also includes various means foraccomplishing the various functions or acts described herein, in thedocuments that are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent fromthe structure and acts described. Essentially, wherever a function isdescribed herein, and at least one example of structure is described,illustrated, or both, that performs that function, a means foraccomplishing that function is also contemplated.

Still further, as used herein, the word “or”, except where indicatedotherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed are mutuallyexclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed herein, it shouldbe understood that in some embodiments, fewer alternatives may beavailable, or in particular embodiments, just one alternative may beavailable, as examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm comprising a carrier and a charginghandle wherein: the charging handle has a rearward first end, a forwardsecond end, and a length from the first end to the second end; thecharging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face on thecharging handle located between the first end and the second end; andthe engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of thecharging handle from the second end of the charging handle.
 2. Thefirearm of claim 1 wherein: the charging handle comprises a stemcomprising a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall; and the engagementface extends from the left wall to the right wall.
 3. The firearm ofclaim 2 wherein: the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall; theright wall is perpendicular to the top wall; and the left wall isparallel to the right wall.
 4. The firearm of claim 3 wherein: theengagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are allone piece.
 5. The firearm of claim 4 wherein: the stem has an openbottom between the left wall and the right wall.
 6. The firearm of claim5 wherein: the engagement face is perpendicular to the top wall.
 7. Thefirearm of claim 1 wherein: the carrier comprises a protrusion and theengagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handle pullsback the carrier.
 8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the engagement faceis at least 20 percent of the length of the charging handle from thesecond end of the charging handle.
 9. The firearm of claim 1 wherein:the engagement face is at least 60 percent of the length of the charginghandle from the first end of the charging handle.
 10. The firearm ofclaim 1 wherein: the engagement face is concave.
 11. The firearm of anyof claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably firein a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.
 12. A firearmcomprising a carrier and a charging handle wherein: the charging handlecomprises a stem comprising a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, andan engagement face extending from the left wall to the right wall; andthe charging handle engages the carrier at the engagement face.
 13. Thefirearm of claim 12 wherein: the left wall, the top wall, and the rightwall are all one piece.
 14. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the leftwall is perpendicular to the top wall; the right wall is perpendicularto the top wall; and the left wall is parallel to the right wall. 15.The firearm of claim 14 wherein: the engagement face, the left wall, theright wall, and the top wall are all one piece.
 16. The firearm of claim12 wherein: the stem has an open bottom between the left wall and theright wall.
 17. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the engagement face isperpendicular to the top wall.
 18. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: thecarrier comprises a protrusion and the engagement face contacts theprotrusion when the charging handle pulls back the carrier.
 19. Thefirearm of claim 12 wherein: the engagement face is concave.
 20. Acharging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising a rearwardfirst end, a forward second end, a length from the first end to thesecond end, and an engagement face for engaging a carrier wherein: theengagement face is located between the first end and the second end; theengagement face is at least ten percent of the length from the secondend of the charging handle; and the charging handle comprises a stemcomprising a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and the engagementface.